The King, Queen and Princess of Wales arrived at St James’s Palace on Tuesday for a reception marking the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK, putting three senior royals at the centre of an event built around the charity’s history and its current work on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Kensington Palace announced Kate’s attendance on Tuesday morning, and the timing gave the appearance immediate attention because she returned to international travel last month on a solo working trip to Reggio Emilia near Bologna in Italy. This was her first public appearance tied to a major cancer-related charity event since she was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer early in 2024, underwent chemotherapy and later said in January 2025 that she was in remission. The rodarte dress princess of wales search interest also reflects how closely every outing is now watched.
At the palace reception, attendees were due to meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in the charity’s work, while immersive installations and visual displays highlighted both the charity’s science and the technology behind it. Charles is patron of Cancer Research UK, and the charity traces its roots to the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, founded in 1902, and the Cancer Research Campaign, founded in 1923, which together give weight to the milestone being marked in London.
The gathering came at a time when the wider cancer picture remains uneven. Latest NHS England figures showed 72.8% of patients began their first definitive cancer treatment within 62 days in March after an urgent referral or consultant upgrade, up from 68.6% in February but still short of the 75% target. In the same month, 79.4% of urgently referred patients were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, above the 75% benchmark, a reminder that faster diagnosis has not yet translated into the treatment standard the system is supposed to deliver.
That gap sits over the day’s pageantry. The King is still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, and he was previously said to be “so proud” of Kate for speaking publicly about her own diagnosis. The Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Gloucester, who is a joint president of Cancer Research UK, were also due at the reception on Tuesday evening. What the palace did not yet say was whether the King or Kate offered any remarks during the event, leaving the most searched part of the evening unanswered even as the royal show of support was clear.
